Five films have been listed in the Flemish Community’s intangible cultural heritage, according to a decision announced on Thursday.
They include the 1934 feature film “De Witte”, known as 'Whitey' in English.
'De Witte,' adapted from Ernest Claes’ novel, was the first Belgian sound film in Dutch, which makes it “historic,” Flemish Culture Minister Jan Jambon explained in a statement giving the reasons for the inclusions. The feature film holds “a special place in the collective cinematographic memory,” the statement read.
The film was created by Jan Vanderheyden, with Jef Bruyninckx in the leading role. Based on Ernest Claes’ eponymous 1920 novel, it was adapted for the second time in 1980 by Robbe De Hert under the title 'De Witte van Sichem.'
Four other 35mm films have been added to the Flemish list of intangible cultural heritage. These include the short silent film 'Droge kunstbroeders' (around 1920), and the short animated film 'Fik en Flok in het land der wolven' (1919), as well as feature films 'Leentje van de zee' (1928) and 'Verloofde uit Canada' (1934).
